Sports Extra

SAN DIEGO – Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator Mike McCoy agreed in principle to become head coach of the division rival San Diego Chargers, two people with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

The people spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because McCoy’s hiring hasn’t been announced.

The 40-year-old McCoy replaces Norv Turner, who was fired along with general manager A.J. Smith after the Chargers finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

McCoy’s hiring comes three days after the top-seeded Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs in a home loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The coaching search was led by Tom Telesco, who was hired as Chargers’ GM last week. Telesco also is 40.

Denver mayor must heal first before doing the Ray Lewis

DENVER – Denver Mayor Michael Hancock insists he is not trying to welch on a bet after he injured his leg at a stock show.

Hancock lost a bet with Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake that requires him to perform linebacker Ray Lewis’ signature pregame dance after the Denver Broncos lost to the Ravens.

The mayor’s spokeswoman, Amber Miller, initially said Hancock suffered an unspecified injury during “pregame” warm-ups Monday to pay off the wager but later said he pulled a muscle and will fulfill his promise after he heals.

Soccer

USA will host Costa Rica at Commerce City in March

CHICAGO – The U.S. soccer team will play its first home game in the final round of World Cup qualifying against Costa Rica on March 22 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.

Seeking its seventh consecutive World Cup appearance, USA will open the 10-game round against Honduras on Feb. 6 at San Pedro Sula. The game in Colorado will give the U.S. players several days of training at altitude before they play at Mexico on March 26 in their third qualifier of the final round.

The Northern Irishman defeated Colin Montgomerie in a vote of the European Tour’s tournament committee in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. McGinley received the backing of some of the continent’s biggest names, including top-ranked Rory McIlroy and third-ranked Luke Donald.

Darren Clarke pulled out of the running for the position, preferring to concentrate on his own game. That left Montgomerie to provide a late challenge to McGinley.

Montgomerie was captain for the 2010 match against the United States at Celtic Manor, Wales.

Europe will defend the trophy at Gleneagles, Scotland, after rallying past the U.S. in October at Medinah, near Chicago.

World Cup Ski Racing

Under the Austrian lights, Shiffrin wins her third race

FLACHAU, Austria – American teenager Mikaela Shiffrin won a World Cup night slalom Tuesday, the third victory in her first year on the circuit.

The 17-year-old Shiffrin, who was second after the opening run, posted the third-fastest time in the final run to finish in a combined time of 1 minute, 51.45 seconds.

Frida Hansdotter of Sweden was 0.85 back in second, and Tanja Poutiainen of Finland took third, trailing Shiffrin by 1.10.